Musician Ed Sheeran asked New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft to match what he said was a $2 million donation for aid to the Middle East, the high-profile businessman and philanthropist said Wednesday. Using social media, Kraft said Sheeran challenged him “to aid in the region to fight this humanitarian crisis,” without specifying which crisis.

Kraft’s statement came amid a high-profile spat over pro-Palestinian rapper Macklemore, who had been slated to open for Sheeran on September 25 and 26 at Gillette Stadium, a Boston-area venue owned by Kraft.

Kraft, a billionaire who supports pro-Israel and Jewish causes, has taken credit for Macklemore’s removal from the Sheeran tour, though the move sparked controversy.

In his most recent statement, however, Kraft tried to strike a conciliatory tone, adding that Macklemore had also challenged him to donate to a cause he believes in.

Macklemore said he would donate the entirety of his $1 million paycheck from Sheeran’s Loop Tour to six organizations that support Palestinians: Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, HEAL Palestine, Gaza Soup Kitchen, Medical Aid for Palestinians, UNRWA USA and Anera.

“I invite Robert Kraft to match my donation,” he wrote in a lengthy social media post. “Whatever we disagree about, perhaps we can agree on this: Palestinian lives are worth protecting.”

Kraft did not say whether he would match either Macklemore or Sheeran’s pledges, but noted that Sheeran would “reach out to other venue owners and our goal is to continue to work together to build bridges.”

In an earlier........

© The Times of Israel